Programs

If you are currently a paramedic but want a career with extra options, while still helping others, you might want to consider becoming a Registered Nurse.

About the program

The LPN/Paramedic Transition to RN track at Delta College is a special option for currently licensed Practical Nurses and Paramedics with a minimum of one-year full-time equivalent work experience, and may be completed in 16 months.

The program is built on a strong nursing/medical theory foundation, which leads to increased time in clinical practice as the student moves through each semester.

This program requires a strong commitment to critical thinking, team collaboration, leadership and an exceptional work ethic.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the Registered Nurse licensure exam. The program is intense, but our pass rates for the RN-NCLEX are exceptionally high, and area employers are pleased with our graduates.

Job outlook

Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 19 percent from 2012 to 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The growth is due to several factors, namely a sizable population of aging baby boomers and the expansion of U.S. healthcare coverage levels under the Affordable Care Act. The national average salary for an RN is $66,640.
Source: www.bls.gov/oes

Program Code: AAS.20569

Delta College offers a special Associate Degree program track for currently Licensed Paramedics with a minimum of 1-year full-time equivalent work experience, within the three years preceding admission to the program.

The ADN program prepares you to function effectively as a member of the health care team. This program requires a strong commitment to critical thinking, team collaboration, leadership, and development of sound clinical knowledge and skills. As a graduate nurse, you will be qualified for employment in structured settings: for example, acute care hospitals, extended care facilities, nursing homes, and clinics. Upon graduating from this Program, you are eligible to take the Registered Nurse licensure exam. This Delta College program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), (3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326; ph: 404-975-5000 , (http://acenursing.org) and approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing.

BIO 152, BIO 153 (or BIO 240,BIO 241), ENG 111 and PHM 285 must be completed with a minimum grade of B (3.0) and the remaining core courses with a minimum grade of C (2.0). Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher in the core courses to validate for the program of their choice. All remaining General Education courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C (2.0) prior to graduation.

Basic Program Requirements: Prior to attempting to register to begin the clinical sequence, you must complete the "Validation Application" and be officially validated. See Validation Procedures in this catalog for the required process.

Notes

1 - Students must have completed BIO 152 and BIO 153 or BIO 240 and BIO 241 within the past ten years. If this time period is exceeded, an approved biology course must be taken to refresh this content. Please see the nursing program coordinator to determine which course(s) must be taken. It is recommended that BIO 203 also be current within ten years.

2 - It is important that you check a semester ahead of time when you plan on validating for the nursing program to make sure course requirements have not changed. Updated information can be found through the nursing web page: www.delta.edu/nursing, calling the Counseling Office (989-686-9330) or the Nursing Discipline Office (989-686-9500 or 989-686-9274).

3 - Prerequisite qualifications for validation are: (a) be admitted to Delta College, (b) provide official transcripts reflecting high school diploma or GED, and all other colleges or training institutions attended; (c) completion of BIO 152W and BIO 153W (or BIO 240 and BIO 241), ENG 111, and PHM 285 with a minimum grade of "B" (3.0); and completion of the remaining core courses with a "C" (2.0) minimum grade and a combined GPA of 2.5 or greater in core courses. All remaining General Education courses must be completed with a minimum grade of "C" prior to gradulation from the program.

4 - Due to limited capacity of clinical facilities and the specific requirements of the accreditation agencies, this Program is considered a “limited enrollment” program. You will be eligible to attempt to register for clinical courses only after successfully completing the prerequisite qualifications and receiving a “Semester and Year of Validation” from the Registrar's Office.You must attempt registration for clinical entry every winter semester following validation until admission into the clinical portion of the program.

5 - The Nursing Student Handbook contains additional information, requirements and specific program policies that you are required to comply with while enrolled in the nursing program. See www.delta.edu/nursing Nursing Student Handbook. You must comply with all Nursing Program Policies.

6 - In addition to tuition and textbook costs, you must provide your own uniforms, clinic shoes, name tags and transportation to clinical agency settings, including possible parking charges. See www.delta.edu/nursing for program costs.

7 - Admission to the NT track is yearly winter semester. Only current licensed Paramedics have the option to take the Transition Track leading to RN licensure. Proof of current licensure as a Paramedic must be provided to the Registrar's office at the time of validation. A minimum of one-year full-time equivalent work experience within the three years preceding admission to the program, verified by the program coordinator, is required before entering into clinicals.

8 - Program-Entry Health Requirements: You must submit an up-to-date complete physical examination report to the Nursing Office prior to entrance into the first clinical course. As a clinical student, you are required to have the Influenza vaccine and a TB skin test annually. The physical examination must confirm that you are free from communicable disease and capable of performing all the duties necessary for the safe care of patients. A positive TB test will require a recent chest x-ray. Proof of Hepatitis B vaccine immunization must be submitted with the physical exam form or you must submit a signed waiver form. For persons born after 1957, documentation of immunization for MMR must be provided. Evidence of current (within ten years) Tetanus immunization status is required. You must submit all up-to-date health requirements to the Nursing Discipline Office prior to entrance into the first clinical course. CPR Training: You must have a CPR card, which must remain current throughout the clinical program. A photocopy of your certificate must be turned in to the Nursing Discipline Office prior to the start of classes. The CPR certification must include one and two person rescuer, child and infant rescuer, airway obstruction relief, and use of AED. Students with expired CPR certification, TB test, and/or physical exam will not be allowed to attend clinical.

9 - Any student with a previous or current felony/misdemeanor conviction must inform the Nursing Program Coordinator of said conviction. Students should be aware that a felony/misdemeanor conviction may constitute grounds for ineligibility to sit for the Nursing Licensure examination. Students should be aware that the current licensure application form now requires that a criminal background check requiring fingerprinting be completed. Questions regarding licensure can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/healthlicense or be directed to the Michigan Board of Nursing at 517-335-0918.

10 - All entering nursing students must be fingerprinted as part of health care agency requirements and for the Michigan Nursing Scholarship. Students will complete and sign a release form allowing Delta College Public Safety to complete a background check. Information about this process will be provided to the student at orientation. Results of the background check will be secured and kept confidential, but may be shared with clinical agencies when requested or as otherwise required by law. If results indicate a felony/misdemeanor conviction, the Nursing Program Coordinator will discuss the findings and the process with the student. A felony/misdemeanor conviction may delay or end the student's nursing education, delay graduation, or change the curriculum from which the student may graduate.

11 - If a student in good standing or granted reentry into the program has a period of inactivity within a program track that exceeds 18 months, the student will need to revalidate for a program track and complete the entire program.